Hemodynamic arterial changes in heart failure: a proposed new paradigm of "heart and vessels failure".

Background: Although heart failure (HF) is one of the most common conditions affecting the heart, little attention has been placed on the role of arteries in contributing to the progression of this disease. We sought to determine the hemodynamic change of arteries in HF patients subdivided according to left ventricular ejection fraction. The major goal was to establish the active compensatory role of arteries in HF.

Extrasystolic arrhythmia: is it an additional risk factor of atherosclerosis?

Background: Extrasystolic arrhythmia is not included in the list of risk factors of atherosclerosis. The aim of this investigation was to determine the relationship between atherosclerosis of main arteries and extrasystolic arrhythmia.

Methods: We included 286 patients in our investigation.

[Immunity indices in the diagnosis of persistent HBs-antigenemia in pregnant women].

The immunity parameters were studied in 42 pregnant women, HBsAg carriers, both clinically healthy and suffering from chronic liver diseases. Sixty pregnant women without liver diseases or HBs-antigenemia made up the reference group. A marked T-cellular immunodeficiency was revealed in pregnant women with persistent HBs-antigenemia and chronic persistent hepatitis, in contrast to the clinically healthy women whose cellular immunity parameters were the same as in healthy pregnant women.

[Some parameters of endocrine function in patients with hemophilia].

The hormonal status of 40 patients with hemophilia A and in 5 patients with hemophilia B was investigated by radioimmunoassay during exacerbation against a background of the hemorrhagic syndrome and in remission. A decrease in the plasma levels of cortisol, T3, insulin and high levels of ACTH and estradiol were observed in patients with a severe type hemophilia during exacerbation. Remission was characterized by an increase in the STH level and a decrease in the ACTH level.

[Functional state of the hepatobiliary system and immune status of pregnant women who have had viral hepatitis].

Hepatobiliary function and immune status were evaluated in 92 pregnant women who had had viral hepatitis A (group 1) and in 35 who had suffered from viral hepatitis B. A control group included 102 healthy pregnant women. In group 1 there appeared clinical symptoms suggesting impairment of hepatobiliary system.

[Clinico-immunological characteristics of cholestatic hepatosis in pregnancy].

Examinations of 56 pregnant women with cholestatic hepatosis have demonstrated the clinical distinctions of this condition from viral hepatitides. The detected immunity status shifts indicated the suppressor cell immunodeficiency variant.

[Psychodiagnosis and psychotherapy in medico-social adaptation of patients with hemorrhagic diseases].

The investigations were conducted in 264 patients with hemorrhagic diseases. Based on the clinical and psychological analysis most of the patients were found to have borderline psychic disorders. Psychotherapy has promoted diminution of psychic disorders, and in patients with hemorrhagic thrombocytopathy it has resulted in decreased hemorrhage and improved platelet function.

[Treatment of adduction cicatricial contracture of the thumb].

The authors discuss the results of treatment of 56 patients with adduction cicatricial contractures of the thumb which developed after severe mechanical, gunshot and thermal injuries. According to the degree of the deformity, 3 degrees of contractures are distinguished and each cells for certain therapeutic tactics. Various types of free and pedicle dermatoplasty and a method of dosed distraction by means of apparatuses designed in the clinic were employed.

[Treatment of scalping wounds of the fingers].

An experience with the treatment of 63 patients with scalped one or several fingers is analyzed. A classification of such traumas is proposed. Plasty with an "acute" Filatow graft, pocket skin plasty, free skin plasty with a splitted transplant were used for completely scalped fingers.

[Dermatoplasty in post-traumatic necrosis of soft tissues of the hand and fingers].

Early necrectomy followed by skin plasty allows preserving impaired parts of the hand and working capacity of the patients in posttraumatic necrosis of soft tissues of the hand and fingers. The method of skin plasty and time of its fulfilling should be dependent on the character of injuries, their localisation and degree of necrosis. In the absence of wound infection skin plasty must be fulfilled immediately after necrectomy.